The Gupta Empire Flashcards
Which Kingdoms have come to an End by the End of third century
Kushanas in the North
Satvahanas in the Deccan
Who are the Rulers of Gupta Empire
Chandragupta 1 (AD 320 - 335) - Maharajadhiraja
Samudragupta (AD 335 - 375)
Chandragupta 2 (AD 380 - 414)
Kumargupta 1 Maheraditya (AD 415 - 455)
Skandagupta VIkramaditya (AD 455 - 467)
Family of Chandragupta I
Grandfather - Sri Gupta
Father - Ghototkacha
Wife - Kumaradevi (Lichhavi Princess)
Chandragupta I Empire Extended in which area
Magadh, modern Bihar, Oudh, Prayag (Allahabad), Tirhent
What is the Source of Reign of Samudragupta
Inscription on Allahabad Pillar or Prayag Prashasti
Prashasti was composed by Samudragupta’s court poet Harisena (account of the conquests)
Harisensa also described Samudragupta as the ‘Hero of a Hundred Battles
Chandragupta II married to the which princess
Prabhavati (Vakataka princess - ritual ruler)
Which Kingdoms Chandragupta II Conquered
Western Malwa and Gujarat
which had been under the rule
of the Saka Kshatrapas for about four centuries by that time
The Second Capital of Empire during Chandragupta II
Ujjain (Chief city of Malwa)
Which Tribe has Seriously menaced the Gupta Empire during Kumargupta I
Pushyamitra (uncertain identity)
Which King has get victory upon ongoing war with Pushyamitra
Skandagupta Vikramaditya
Which Kingdom Invaded Gupta Empire during Skandagupta Vikramaditya
“Hunas”
Defeated by Vikramaditya
The decline of the empire began soon after his death
The Hunas later became the rulers
of Punjab and Kashmir.
Reasons for Declination of Gupta Empire
Their rule lasted till the middle of the sixth century A.D.
(i) invasion by the Hunas,
(ii) rise in feudalism,
(iii) weak successors,
(iv) financial difficulties,
(v) decline of foreign trade, and
(vi) absence of large professional army to maintain vast
empire.
The Revenue of Gupta Empire come from
Eighteen Types of Taxes are Levied
(i)Baga - Land Revenue
(ii)buffalo milk, curd, fruits and flowers. (known from the inscription of Pallavas and Vakatakas)
(iii)forests, meadows and salt mines (income of the state)
How the Administration of Gupta Empire is Divided
“Bhuktis” (under the charge of an uparika)
Bhuktis were divided into districts (vishayas)
“Vishayas” (under the charge of vishyapati)
“vishyas” were divided into “vithis”
What are the Trades of Gupta Empire
ship-building industry was at peak.
Tamralipti, a port in Bengal
(trade was carried on with the eastern countries like China, Ceylon, Java and Sumatra.)
Tondai - famous port of Chola state.
Kalyana, Chol, Broach and Cambay were the important ports of the South.
The Most Important officers of Gupta Empire
“kumaramatyas” (emperor’s personal staff and assisted the princes)
Religious functionaries were
granted land called during Gupta age is
“Agrahara”
Name the Important Officials at the Central Level of Gupta Empire
(i) Mahabaladhikrita – Commander-in-Chief
(ii) Mahadanayak – Chief justice
(iii) Mahapratihar –An official to maintain the
royal palace.
(iv) Mahasandhivigrahak – An official for post-war
conciliation
Or Sandhivigrahak
(v) Dandapashika – Head of the police department
(vi) Bhandagaradhikreta – Head of the royal treasury
(vii) Mahapaksha-Patalik – Head of the account department
(viii) Vinaysthitisansathapak – Head of the education department
(ix) Sarvadhyaksha – Inspector for the all central
departments
(x) Mahashwapati – Controller of cavalry.
(xi) Mahamahipilapati – Controller and executor of
elephantry.
(xii) Vinaypura – Official to present different
guests at king’s court
(xiii) Yuktapurusha – Office to keep account of war
booty
(xiv) Khadyatpakika – Inspector of royal kitchen
(xv) Ranabhandagarika – Officer-in-charge of army stores
(xvi) Mahanarpati – Head of foot soldiers (infantry)
What is the ‘Golden Age of Ancient India’
“Gupta Age”
Most remarkable rock-cut architecture are found in
Ajanta, Ellora, Aurangabad (Hyderabad) and Bagh (Central India).
The Shrines of the Gupta Age
“Udaygiri” series of shrines near Bhilsa in Bhopal state.
‘Rock-cut Brahmanical’ shrines are to be found at Badami in the Bijapur district.
“Jaina caves” are to be found at Badami as also at Aihole.
Gupta age Art & Paintings
“terra-cotta” (became more popular than stone sculpture.)
Best painting found on the walls of the
Ajanta caves,
Bagh cave in Gwalior,
Settannavasal temple at Puddukkottai and at Badami
The main theme of Gupta painters
Incidents of life of Buddha
The Painting ‘Dying Princess’ in one Ajanta cave has earned the admiration of
Burgress, Fergussion, Griffiths and many others
The iron pillar at Delhi made at
time of
Samudragupta
Important Literary works during the Gupata period
- Raghuwansa, Ritusamhara, Meghaduta – Kalidasa
- Ravanabodha – Batsabhatti
- Kavyadarshana and Dasakumarcharita – Dandin
- Kiratarjuniyam – Bharavi
- Nitishataka – Bhartahari
Dramas of the Gupta Period
- Vikramovarshiya, Malvikagnimitra and
- Abhijnanasakuntalam – Kalidasa
Mrichchakatika – Sudaraka - Swapnavasavadatta, Charudatta and
Pratignayaugandharayana – Bhasa - Mudrarakshasa and Devichandraguptam – Visakhadatta
Eulogy of the Gupta period
Pryag-Prasasti – Harisena
Philosophical works of Gupta period
- Sankhyakarika (base on Sankhya philosophy) – Ishwar Krishna
- Padartha Dharmasangraha (based on Vaisheshika Philosophy) - Acharya Prashastipada
- Vyasa Bhasya (based on Yoga philosophy) – Acharya Vyasa
- Nyaya Bhasya (on Nyaya philosophy) – Vatsyayana
Religious works of Gupta period
The two great epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
Grammar of Gupta period
- Amarakosha – Amarsimha
- Chandravyakarana – Chandragomin
- Kavyadarsha – Dandin
Narrative story of Gupta period
Panchatantra and Hitopadesha – Vishnu Sharma
Smritis of Gupta period
Vaynavalkyasmriti,Parasharsmriti,Brihspatismriti, Naradasmriti and Katyayanasmriti
Mathematics and Astronomy of Gupta period
- Aryabhattiya, Dashjitikasutra and – Aryabhatta
- Aryashtashata – Varahmihira
- Brihatsamhita and Panchasidhantika
Brahmasidhanata – Brahmagupta
Miscellaneous Works of Gupta period
- Nitisastra – Kamandaka
- Kamsutra – Vatsayana
- Kavyalankara – Bhamah
- ‘Dashpadarthastra’ - Dingnaga Chandra
- Romaka Sidhanta - Astronomy book
- Suryasidhanta Brahmagupta - Algebra used in 7th century A.D
- Astanghridaya - Vrihad Vagabhatta, a well-known physician, guided by the work of Charaka,
What are the Kalidasa gems of Sanskrit poetry.
Two Mahakavyas, “Raghuvamsa” and “Kamarasambhava” and the
lyrical poem “Meghaduta”
When did the decimal system was known in India
Gupta inscription of Allhabad
suggests beginning of the fifth century A.D
Who is person first to use the decimal system
Aryabhatta
formulated
1. value of pie (π)
2. Area of triangle
3. origin of trigonometry
4. Use of Zero
Iron Pillar found at Mehrauli in Delhi eracted by
Kumaraagupta (in fourth century AD)
Two great Physicians of Gupta period
Sushruta and Charak
Charaka is considered to be the father of Indian Medicine
Sushruta Samhita describes the methods of
operating cataracts, stone diseases and various other ailments
Who united kingdom of Thaneswar with the Maukhari kingdom of Kannauj
“Harshavardhana” (606 - 647 AD)
shifted his capital to Karnnuj.
Which Kingdoms are defeated by “Hunas”
Firoz, king of Persia, and became the masters of Persia
End of fifth century A.D., they ruled over a vast empire.
Biography of King Harshavardhana (Harshacharita) is written by
“Banabhatta” (court poet)
The book lists military and cultural achievements of Harsha
Who is “Hiuen Tsang”
He spent eight years in the court
of Harshavardhana
written in detail about the developments
during these years.
studied Buddhist text at this Nalanda University
Who regarded as the last powerful Hindu emperor of India,
“Harshavardhana”
but he was neither a staunch Hindu nor the ruler of the whole country
His authority was limited to the north India
except Kashmir
How much is the Army of Harshavardhana
Harsha had soldiers numbering over one lakh and 60,000 cavalry and 9,000 elephants.
Who is credited with the grant of land to the officers by charters
Harshavardhana
What are the Plays written by Harshavardhana
Ratnavali, Priyadarshika and Nagananda.
Written in Sanskrit
Scholars who lived in Harshavardhana court
Banabhatta, Subandhu and Dandian
Religion of King Harsha
worshipper of Shiva but later he became a
Buddhist
Three Major States appeared in beginning of seventh century in South India
Pallavas of Kanchi,
Chalukyas of Badami,
Pandyas of Madurai
Satvahanas were succeeded by which kingdom
Vakataka (225 - 510 AD)
A local power in northern Maharashtra and Vidarbha (Berar)
Vakataka kingdom became a channel for transmitting brahmanical ideas and social institutions to the south
Who is the Founder of the Vakataka Kingdom
“Vidya Shakti”
But his son “Pravarsena” could be its real founder in western and central India
Who was the First king of Chalukyas
“Jayasimha” was the first Chalukyan king. But “Pulakeshin I” is generally attributed to be the first Chalukyan king
Pulakeshin I was succeeded by
Maharaja Kirtivarman (in 566 A.D)
Who is the most prominent ruler of the Chalukyas dynasty
Pulakeshin II (A.D. 608)
contemporary of Harshavardhan
Who is the brother of Pulakeshin II
“Kubja Vishnu Vardhan”
Established a new dynasty with its capital at the ancient city of Vengi. (Eastern Chalukyas)
Chola king annexed the kindom in A.D. 1076
Who defeated and killed the Pulakeshin II
Pallava ruler “Narsimvarman”
32 years later in 674, one of Pulakeshin’s son avenged his father’s death and captured Kanchi.
Who founded western Chaukyas of Kalyani
Taila II (in 973)
after defeating Amoghavarsha IV, the last Rashtrakuta ruler
Who is the greatest ruler of this western Chaukyas of Kalyani
Vikramaditya II Tribhuvanmall (1076-1126)
he was regarded as the hero of Bilhana’s Vikramankadevacharita.
He is the founder of the Vikarm Samvat Era.
“Jagadekamall II”, was the last ruler after whose death his Kalachuri minister
Vijjala usurped his throne.
What is the ‘cradle of Indian temple architecture’
70 temples at Aihole
Other famous temples
1. Virupaksha temple at Pattadakal,
2. Vishnu temple of Badami,
3. Shiva temple of Maguti
4. Kasi Vishvesvara temple of Lakhundi.
When did the Western Chaukyas of Kalyani Kingdom come to an End
By A.D. 753 when their feudatory Rastrakutas defeated Kirtivarman.
Who are the Ikshavakus
On the decline of the Satvahana power in the eastern part of the peninsula there arose the Ikshavakus in the Krishna Guntur
region.
Overthrown by Pallavas
In Which period pallavas were dominant power in the Deccan
(600-757 A.D.)
They marched to Andhra and then to Kanchi where they established the mighty Pallava Empire.
Pallavas greatest monuments are at
“Mahabalipuram”
The last ruler of the Pallavas
“Aparajitavarma”
He defeated by the Cholas
For what Land Pallavas and Chalukyas tried to establish supremacy over
Land lying between the Krishna
and the Tungabhadra.
Who Compelled to accept suzerainty of the Ganges of Mysore
Pulakeshin-II
Which army did Pulakeshin-II defeated at Narmada
Harshavardhan
How the Pallavas made peace with Pulakeshin-II when he almost reached pallavas capital
By ceding their northern-provinces to Pulakeshin II.
Pallavas king Narasimhavarman (A.D. 630 - 668) occupied the Chalukya capital at
“Vatapi” in about A.D. 642
Which Kingdoms Pallava king Narasimhavarman has defeated
Cholas, the Cheras, the Pandyas and the Kalabhras
Who defeated pallava supremacy in the far south
Chalukya king Vikramaditya II (A.D. 733-745)
Chalukyas can’t able to enjoy the fruits of victory on Pallavas before long defeated by
“Rashtrakutas” ( in A.D. 757)
Which Kingdoms are defeated by the Rashtrakuta King Krishnaraja
Chalukyaraj Vishnuvardhana IV of Vengi and the Ganga king of Mysore
Who is the founder of the Rashtrakuta
“Dantidurga”
He was contemporary of Chalukya king Pulkeshin II
He was succeeded by his uncle Krishnaraja (768-772)
Which Temple that King Krishnaraja Built
“Kailash temple of Ellora”
What is the Capita of Rashtrakuta
“Manyakheta”
What is the earliest known Kannada poem.
“Kavirajamarga”
king Amoghavarsha I himself authored a part
Who is the powerful king of the Rashtrakuta dynasty
“Amoghavarsha”
who succeeded in defeating the East-Chalukya kings.
who had successfully checked the
progress of the Gurjara King Bhoja I towards South India
Who is the founder of the Chola dynasty
“Vijayala”
Who are the Promient Kings of Chola Dynasty
“Rajraja” (A.D. 985 to 1014)
He very efficiently and successfully carried on the administration of his country
“Rajendra” (A.D. 1015-1035)
He was also a brace warrior and a successful ruler
“Rajadhiraja”
He was the last among the Cholas. In 1052, he was killed while fighting with the Chalukyas.
What are the Achievements of the Cholas
During Rajaraja I included Tamil Nadu, Goorg, Srilanka and many islands including Laskswadeep and Maldives.
The Temple that constructed during the Chola period
Shiva temple of Rajrajeshwar at Tanjore - 197 feet high
What Influenced Indian Traders becoming suppliers of goods rather than carriers and communication with the West
Arabs
Who are the Cheras
Kerala was known as Cheras
Cheras had trade relations with Rome in the first century A.D
Who are the important rulers of the Cheras
Perunar, Adan II, and Senaguttavam,
fought many battles with other dynasties of the Deccan like the Cholas, the Pandyas, and the Hoyasalas, etc. They remained dominant till the 13th century A.D
Where was the Kingdom of Hoyasalas was situated
modern Mysore and Madras
Between the kingdom of the Chalukyas on the North-West and that of the Cholas on
south-east.
What is the Capital of Kingdom Hoyasalas
“Dwarasamudra”
Who is the King who has credited for eminence kindom Hoyasalas
“Vishnu Vardhan”
With the help of his commander-in-chief, Ganga Raja, he defeated the Cheras, the Cholas and the Pandyas. He defeated the Gurjaras at Talkad
Which temple was built by Vishnu Vardhan
Chennakesava temple at Belur in A.D. 1117, Hoyasaleswar temple at Halesbid A.D. 1150
Important Kings of the Hoyasalas
“Vir Balla II” (He defeated the Chalukyas and the Yadavas)
“Vir Balla III” (The last king of this dynasty)
who was defeated by Malik Kafur, the chief general of Alauddin Khilji in 1311
The Region which the Yadavas ruled
Nasik to Devagiri.
at first, under the supremacy of the
Chalukyas, became independent
The great rulers of the Yadavas
Bhillama; Simhana Ramachandra,
etc
Who is the first important king of Yadavas
“Bhillama” (reigned from 1187 to 1191)
He conquered the Hoyasalas and made Devagiri his capita
Who is the most prominent king of this
Yadavas dynasty
“Simhana” defeated several dynasties, such
as, the Hoyasalas, the Andhras, Arjun
Varman, the ruler of Malwa.
Who is the last king Yadavas dynasty
“Ramachandra”
who ruled the whole of the region upto the river Narmada.
Who are Kakatiyas
Kakatiyas were under the control of the Chalukya dynasty
Became independent, asserted territories of Telingana and Warrangal,
Important Kings of the Kakatiyas
Prolaraja, Ganpati, Pratap Rudra Deo,
Prolaraja defeated the Chalukyas.
Ganpati defeated the Cholas and Yadavas
“Malik Kafur” invaded their kingdom in A.D 1309 during the reign of Pratapa Rudra Deo
Who Established Kadambas Dynasty
“Brahman Mayurasarma”
In north Karnataka with his capital at Banavasi after defeating Satvahana.
“Champion of Vedic sacrifices”
performed 18 Ashvamedha sacrifices.
The kingdom was annexed to the Chalukya kingdom by Pulkesin II.
